787 finishes static, gauntlet tests

Boeing has announced that it has completed the analysis of the static test on the wing join modification for the 787 Dreamliner, while also announcing that the first aircraft has completed its gauntlet tests.

“I am happy to report that the program has validated the airplane structure for the 787 Dreamliner,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program.

Gauntlet tests, which test a number of aircraft systems before the aircraft takes to the skies for its first flight, have also been completed on the first aircraft, MSN ZA001. Fancher says that the tests only took two days because of improvements made as a result of gauntlet tests made earlier this year in the run up to the expected first flight of the 787, which had to be delayed due to technical issues with the wing join.

“We are very pleased with the results of this final functional testing. With the successful completion of static testing and this functional testing, our focus now moves to first flight,” said Fancher.